Training Program Teaches Landscaping To Adults With Disabilities

A pilot program conducted over the last few months at MCTI offered students an opportunity to enroll in a combined custodial/landscaping/grounds maintenance-training program. The success of the program prompted MCTI officials to create a separate two-term program in landscaping/grounds maintenance training. "We only piloted this one term, but the students seem to have such a pride in what they’re doing," explained Pat Pallett, MCTI admissions financial aid director. She noted that the grounds at MCTI’s 80-acre campus greatly improved during the 10-week pilot program. "It’s amazing what they did in 10 weeks. There were only seven to eight students in that program, and we didn’t have a full complement of equipment either," she said.

Students enrolling in the new two-term program will be trained in the use and operation of various tools and machines related to landscaping. The instruction will cover mowing with large equipment; the use of snow removal equipment; equipment preparation, maintenance and upkeep; leaf removal; planting trees, shrubs and bulbs; fertilization; waterfront maintenance; irrigation systems; creating, purchasing and installing seasonal decorations; and establishing and maintaining new accounts.

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS. Training at MCTI is administered by Michigan Rehabilitation Services, a division of the Michigan Department of Career Development, to students with a wide range of disabilities, including learning, physical, emotional and hearing disabilities, mental retardation, substance abuse and epilepsy. However, training in the newly created landscaping courses is limited to students capable of working in the industry.

Training requirements for the landscaping/grounds maintenance class include:

• The ability to stand and walk for an eight-hour day;
• The ability to lift 50 pounds frequently;
• The ability to read and write at a fifth grade level;
• The ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions;
• The ability to measure liquids accurately;
• The ability to work independently;
• The ability to work in an outdoor environment;
• Fundamental mechanical skills; and
• A valid driver's license prior to entering training.

"The big key with landscaping is they have to be able to operate the equipment, and they have to have a driver’s license prior to coming in because they’re going to be on equipment immediately," noted Pallett. "The training requirements are very similar to our custodial training program, and there has always been a high demand for that training program. So I feel this will be a real complement to the training areas that we offer at the school."

PLACEMENT. "All of our training programs really focus on placement, not just at the conclusion, but from the very beginning," noted Pallett, explaining that advisory committees made up of local companies related to the training field consistently review each program to make sure requirements are sound and that placement efforts are targeted appropriately. "Often those business people have a commitment to hiring some of our people, too," she added.

Pallett explained that research conducted prior to establishing the pilot program revealed the need for trained labor in the landscaping industry. MCTI asked several landscape company owners if adults with disabilities would be a potential pool of candidates for jobs. Companies surveyed told MCTI that trained personnel is often difficult to come by and that disabilities were not a concern. Rather, the companies were in need of skilled, trained labor.

The research also helped MCTI determine the appropriate and most beneficial coursework to cover. It resulted in the addition of snow removal training. "I was a little surprised at how well this program was received for the upper peninsula [of Michigan] because the season for landscaping is a lot shorter," noted Pallett. "But they said it’s the perfect thing for them if we include the snow removal."

The importance of adding snow removal and other wintertime activities to the program prompted MCTI to have the program cover two seasonal time periods. The program’s first classes begin this Sept. 6 to give students time to focus on maintenance activities before learning snow operations. Students will graduate in February. Then the program begins for new students who will receive winter training first, followed by plant maintenance training.

BUSINESS TRAINING. In addition to industry-specific coursework, MCTI provides training on how to obtain and maintain employment, teaching students how to create a resume, how to conduct themselves in interviews and how to emphasize specific training they have that is related to open positions. Pallett said one of the most important items MCTI highlights is sending a thank you note after an interview. "Sometimes that’s the clincher," she said.

MCTI also provides students with the top 10 reasons why people lose jobs (see sidebar above right). "The first one is absenteeism and the last one is the lack of skills," explained Pallett. "A lot of our employers say that even if [an employee] is not the top-notch person as far as skill, if [the employee is] there everyday, they are willing to work with [the employee]."